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Scientific Tips About Noni
Noni and cancer
• Noni possesses anti tumor activity by stimulating
immune factors like TNF, NK cells etc. to attack the
tumor. Noni can be used as an immune supplemental
therapeutic agent with any cancer theraphy.
• Noni has anti angiogenesis effect on tumor, hence
inhibits tumor development.
• Noni prevents DNA adduct formation. Hence protects the
cell from converting to cancer. Noni can be used for
primary and secondary prevention of cancer.
• In vitro study shows that the Damnacanthal, one
phytochemical in Noni has anti-carcinogenic effect.
• Noni ppt = Noni Polysaccharides - This polysaccharide
is made up of 4 sugars (glucuronic acid, galactose,
arabinose and rhamnose). It has immune modulatory
effects.
• The Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is a system which
eliminates carcinogens. Limonene in Noni juice promotes
the GST system in the liver and small bowel, thereby
decreasing damaging effects of carcinogens. Animal
studies demonstrated that dietary limonene reduced
mammary tumour growth.
• All types of cancer, irrespective of which organ they
start in, spread by the same means : they use biological
cutting tools (enzymes) capable of cutting through the
surrounding collagen connective tissue. Matrix
metalloproteinases (MMPs), the enzymes are identified as
key players in tumor invasion and metastasis. Excessive
MMPs secretion is regarded as an index of malignancy
which leads to degradation of extra cellular matrix.
Current treatment protocols with chemotherapy and /or
radiation although beneficial, are toxic and have the
potential to destroy healthy cells as well. Our approach
is to develop strategies to inhibit cancer development,
progression and metastasis using naturally occurring
nutrients, relatively non-toxic. Lysine and proline are
building blocks of collagen fibers that stabilize
connective tissue by inhibiting the enzymatic digestion
of collagen fibers. Vitamin C is essential for
production of collagen and acts as a powerful
antioxidant by scavenging free radicals and thereby
protects cells from damage. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
has antioxidant and anticancerogenic properties. It
prevents cancer cell invasion by inhibiting MMPs. The
natural amino acid lysine, especially in combination
with vitamin C and other selected cellular nutrients, is
capable of blocking this ‘collagen digestion’. We have a
biological mechanism that prevents the spread of cancer
cells - and therefore cancer itself. It is postulated
that the combination of these nutrients would exert a
very potent synergistic anticancer activity. Noni
contains the above two amino acids lysine and praline.
Noni is rich in vitamin C. Noni contains the
phytochemical Epigallocatehin gallate (EGCG). Hence Noni
should help to prevent the cancer tumor invasion and
metastasis.
• Limonene, the phytochemical present in Noni increases
the levels of liver enzymes involved in detoxifying
carcinogens.
• Cancer chemoprevention involves prevention, delay or
reversal of the process of carcinogenesis through
ingestion of dietary or pharmaceutical agents. Recent
advances which have defined the cellular and molecular
events associated with carcinogenesis, along with a
growing body of experimental, epidemiological and
clinical trial data, provide a foundation for relatively
new startegies of cancer prevention. One such strategy
involves suppression of carcinogen metabolic activation
or blocking the formation of ultimate carcinogens. In
particular, the induction of phase II enzymes offers
protection against toxic and reactive chemical species.
Many recent studies have shown that elevation of phase
II enzymes, such as NAD(P) H : quinone reductase (QR)
and GST, correlates with protection against chemical -
induced carcinogenesis in animal models, in the stage of
promotion as well as initiation. Noni fruits contain an
extremely potent quinone reductase inducer, 2 - methoxy
- 1,b,6 - trihydroxyanthraquinone. This new
anthraquinone was nearly 40 times more potent than all.
Glycosides
• Noni contains many glycosides - Glycosides are
compounds containing a carbohydrate and a
noncarbohydrate residue in the same molecule. The
nonsugar component is known as the AGLYCONE. The sugar
component is called the GLYCONE. If the glycone group of
a glycoside is glucose, then the molecule is a glucoside;
if it is fructose, then the molecule is a fructoside; if
its is glucuronic acid, then the molecule is a
glucuronide; etc. In the body, toxic substances are
often bonded to glucuronic acid to increase their water
solubility; the resulting glucuronides are then
excreted. Many plants store important chemicals in the
form of inactive glycosides; if these chemicals are
needed, the glycosides are brought in contact with water
and an enzyme, and the sugar part is broken off, making
the chemical available for use. Asperuloside is a
glycoside. Traditionally, this glycoside is used for
diurises (reducing water retention), treating
inflammation and varicose veins and phlebitis. Research
indicates that it is anticlastogenic (that is, prevents
the breakage of chromosomes). As a result, it is
anti-mutagenic or resists mutation within the cell’s
DNA.
• Three new glycosides were isolated from Morinda
citrifolia (Noni) fruit. They are;
1. 6-O- (beta-D-glucopyranosy)
-1-O-octanoyl-beta-D-glucopyranose,
2. 6-O- (beta-D-glucopyranosy)
-1-O-hexanoyl-beta-D-glucopyranose,
3. 3-methylbut-3-enyl
6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside.
Cholesterol synthesis inhibition
Noni juice shows a positive dose response and inhibits
cholesterol synthesis. Dr David Leach ,Associate
Professor,Southern Cross University says “The in vitro
findings are encouraging, and it is the work we would
like to repeat”.
Noni reduces the production SGPT and SDH in Liver.
Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT): An enzyme
that is normally present in liver and heart cells, is
released into blood when the liver or heart is damaged.
The blood SGPT levels are thus elevated with liver
damage (for example, from viral hepatitis) or with an
insult to the heart (for example, from a heart attack).
Some medications can also raise SGPT levels.
Enzymatic assays of SDH (sorbitol dehydrogenase)
concentration are used in some medical laboratories as a
tool for detecting liver damage. The enzyme SDH is
mainly localized in the liver and normally, there is
very little sorbitol dehydrogenase present in the blood.
Therefore, increased levels in blood serum samples are
indicative of liver cell damage and are diagnostic
evidence of liver diseases, particularly acute
hepatitis. Noni reduces the production SGPT and SDH in
Liver and heart cells. Hence noni has good
hepatoprotective function.
Phytochemicals present in Noni : Rutin
Rutin, the phytochemical has also the property to
chelate metal ions, such as iron. Hence Noni can be
helpful in thalassemia codition.
Rutin also seems to stabilize vitamin C. If rutin is
taken together with vitamin C, the activity of ascorbic
acid will be intensified.
Rutin is important because it strengthens capillaries
and helps people who bruises or bleeds easily. Rutin
prevents atherosclerotic plaques inside the arteries and
thus has cardio protective function.
Studies demonstrated that rutin stops venous edema,
which is an early sign of chronic venous disease of the
leg. Hence it helps in varicosity of vein.
Caprylic acid - Caprylic acid is a fatty acid that has
antifungal properties.
Scopoletin
Scopoletin exhibits a cholesterol lowering effect and
vasodilating properties. Hence it helps in hypertension,
hypercholesterolemia and prevention of CAD.
Cyclooxygenase and 5 - lipoxygenase cause inflammation
and pain. Scopoletin has demonstrated inhibitory effects
on these mediators. Hence Noni has anti inflammatory and
analgesic activity.
Scopoletin has anit-spasmolytic activity on the uterus
and small intestine, therefore being beneficial in
menstrual cramping and irritable bowel conditions.
Scopoletin has bacteriostatic activity against various
species of bacteria, including Escherichia coil,
Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sp., Klebsiella
pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Ursolic acid
Ursolic acid has anti fungal property. It inhibits the
growth of Candida albicans and Microsporium lenosum.
Ursolic acid has anti-inflammatory properties and is
used in ointments to treat burns.
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